The rampant anti-Italianism that existed during the late 19th and early 20th century is rarely acknowledged today. However, these attitudes are on full display in “Cabrini,” the latest film from Angel Studios that debuted earlier this month. The movie explores the life of Mother Frances Xavier Cabrini, an Italian-American nun who founded a worldwide network of 67 schools, orphanages, and hospitals meant to serve the less fortunate. Her work focused specifically on improving the lives of impoverished Italian immigrants, motivated by the negative conditions she witnessed this group endure when she entered the United States. While there was nothing that was ultimately able to stop Mother Cabrini from making the world a better place, this film explores the obstacles that stood in her way stemming from her identity as an Italian-American woman.
Being an immigrant from the Lombardy region of Italy, Cabrini had an intimate knowledge of the xenophobic and anti-Italian sentiment that polluted the streets of New York and the United States at large. Since many Italians were poor, illiterate, and unable to speak English at the time, this ethnic group was believed to be of inferior intelligence and only good for menial labor. Seen as a threat to the very fabric of the country, Italians were treated with a complete lack of respect which is reflected in the film’s portrayal of Cabrini’s voyage to America. Upon her arrival, the religious sister overhears and is subject to several racial slurs such as “monkey,” “dago,” “guinea pig,” and “brown skin filth.” Name-calling was just the tip of the iceberg, as Anglo-Saxon Americans are regularly heard uttering phrases like “we ought to ship ’em all back” along with references to an “Italian problem.” These attitudes manifested themselves in horrible living conditions and treatment in everyday life, so much so that Cabrini states “even rats have it better.”
As a result of this hatred for Italians, Mother Cabrini initially struggled to put her charitable plans in motion. For instance, the movie depicts her group’s eviction from the home she purchased to serve as a safe place for Italian children who slept in the sewers of New York City for warmth and safety. A local mayor was responsible for the eviction, sending a city inspector to the property who urged Cabrini to “keep your crime and filth out of this neighborhood.” She also had limited money to fund her aspirations such as a high-quality hospital that catered to all sick patients, regardless of economic status. Her financial problems were exacerbated by the fact that Archbishop Michael Corrigan forbade Cabrini from soliciting money from Americans and that banks were unwilling to lend to “anyone who smells, walks, or talks” as she did. Yet, she refused to let the reality of the situation dissuade her. When she was routinely questioned by others about how she would afford to subsidize her goals, she would simply say “Begin the mission and the means will come.” She did exactly that, establishing orphanages and schools on every continent as well as one of the finest medical institutions in New York State with the help of wealthy Irish, Italian, and Jewish immigrants.
These accomplishments would have been noteworthy for anyone at the time but were unheard of for a woman, let alone an Italian woman. Her impact was so profound that she eventually became the first United States citizen to be canonized as a saint by the Catholic Church. Now recognized as the patron saint of immigrants, Mother Cabrini will always be remembered for her passion for improving the lives of Italians as well as the perseverance and courage she exhibited in the face of anti-Italian prejudice.
Be sure to catch “Cabrini” in a theater near you through Easter. To purchase your tickets, please click here.
I find it incredibly sad that my ancestors were treated so poorly. This only goes to prove that everyone experienced racism. I take particular offense to BLM and other organizations like it who promote this hate. We are white and racism was used against us. The Italians have contributed greatly to society and the world. We are artisans and craftsman who leave an indelible mark on anything from fashion to art, food and everything in between. People can say whatever they want about us but the whole world wishes they were Italian!
hi, I agree with you all the way up to your last sentence, “ everyone wishes they were Italian!” We should ALL be proud of who we are and respect everyone’s history,heritage and culture. 🇺🇸🇮🇹
There are still pockets of this in our country. My family, parents from Italy, moved from Bklyn to rural Pennsylvania. Catholics were in the minority and Italians even less.
Never the less the way our people pulled ourselves up, without financial assistance or support of any means is a lesson we cannot forget. Italians are the last of the immigrants that truly had to make it in their own. Through their sweat, faith, family and community they made the American dream a reality.
Yes Frank. My father would say, “WE KNOW WHERE WE CAME FROM, WE KNOW WHO WE ARE AND WE KNOW WHERE WE ARE GOING!”
I do not think the people living in America, at the time the Italians arrived, believed the Italians were dumb, a burden on society , lazy etc. I think they were worried Italians were coming from a great country that was skilled, smart, artistic etc and were a threat to THEIR jobs etc. In one generation the Italians solved the problem , one way or another , and worked hard and owned their own homes, had good jobs, and added greatly to America.